2 Samuel 8:1-18

Note: This catalog of David’s military activities emphasizes his many victories and offers details about the treasures he amassed during this time. In all these matters, he administered judgment and justice.

8:2 | Moab was the territory of the Philistines in which David had spent considerable time (1 Sam. 22:3-4). His great-grandmother Ruth was a Moabitess. The people of Moab were born of the incestuous relationship between Lot and his oldest daughter (Gen. 19:36-37).

8:4 | It is unknown why David hamstrung the horses (cut the tendon above the hoof so that the animals could not run). It could be that he was trying to obey the command not to acquire horses (Deut. 17:16; Josh. 11:6-9), or perhaps he was simply preventing his enemies from using the horses in battle against him.

8:11 | Solomon gave the silver and gold from the nations David conquered to the priests to use in building the temple (1 Kgs. 7:51).